{"id":4760,"date":"2026-08-17T20:39:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&p=4760"},"modified":"2026-08-17T20:39:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:39:53","slug":"hcmc-transit-card","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/hcmc-transit-card\/","title":{"rendered":"People Over 60 and People With Disabilities Ride Free on Ho Chi Minh City Buses and Metro"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ho Chi Minh City is rolling out a transit card that gives people over 60, people with disabilities, contributors to the revolution (such as veterans), and children under 6 free, 100% fare-free access to the city's 134 bus routes and Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien). Issuance began on August 4, and applications and card distribution were still ongoing as of mid-August. For residents who qualify by age or household situation, this genuinely cuts monthly transport costs, so it's worth knowing the process in advance.<\/p>\n

This article is for people living in Ho Chi Minh City \u2014 especially those who've reached the qualifying age themselves, or who live with a family member who is over 60 or has a disability \u2014 and lays out, in practical terms, who can apply and how to get the free card.<\/p>\n

Four Eligible Groups Get 100% Free Rides on 134 Bus Routes and Metro Line 1<\/h2>\n

The free card is available to four groups: people over 60, people with disabilities, recognized contributors to the revolution (including veterans), and children under 6. Cardholders get a full fare waiver on the 134 subsidized bus routes and Metro Line 1. On buses, you scan the card's QR code; on the metro, you show the card at the priority gate.<\/p>\n

Ho Chi Minh City had already been rolling outa policy making 134 routes free starting in July<\/a>. This card operates within that same framework, formally covering priority groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Note that, unlike the general fare-free policy, this one requires an application.<\/p>\n

Three Ways to Apply: The MultiGo App, a Service Counter, or Saigon Bus Terminal<\/h2>\n

There are three ways to apply. If you'd rather do everything on your phone, use the MultiGo app; there's also the city's Public Transport Management Center information portal; and if you'd like to talk to someone in person, there's the counter at Saigon Bus Terminal. All three require submitting personal information, a photo, and documentation proving your eligibility.<\/p>\n

The required documents differ by category: an ID card for those over 60, a disability certificate for people with disabilities, a birth certificate for children under 6, and the relevant certificate for veterans and other contributors. Review takes one business day, and the card is issued within three business days at most, either picked up at Saigon Bus Terminal or distributed at district stations. Even an online application requires registering a photo, so having your ID photo ready ahead of time will make the process smoother.<\/p>\n

306,000 Riders on August 12 Alone, Bus Use Up 44% Year-on-Year Thanks to Free Fares<\/h2>\n

The effect of the fare-free policy is already showing up in the numbers. According to city data, ridership on the municipal bus network reached about 12 million as of August 12, up roughly 44% year-on-year. On August 12 alone, about 306,000 people rode the free buses, about 55% more than the same day the year before. Card distribution is happening right in the middle of this surge in ridership.<\/p>\n

Still, while being free draws riders in, the management center says whether that ridership holds up long-term will depend on service quality. If crowding or delays increase, riders will stay away even if it's free. For those eligible, the next step after getting the card is figuring out which routes actually work for them.<\/p>\n

Residents With Eligible Family Members Benefit From Acting Early<\/h2>\n

One thing that's easy to overlook about this system is that applications are per person and require a photo and documentation. For households that have brought a parent from Japan to live with them, or residents who've just turned 60, simply gathering the paperwork could wipe out their entire commuting, medical, and shopping transport costs. The benefit is especially large for anyone who connects between Metro Line 1 and buses for hospital visits. If you live along the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line 1, you can make both the bus to the station and the metro itself free end-to-end, effectively turning your everyday range of movement into one you can cover without paying a fare.<\/p>\n

That said, going forward, using the free buses will also involvea move toward mandatory identity verification starting in October<\/a>. Beyond just getting the card, preparing your identity verification \u2014 such as VNeID \u2014 in parallel will keep you from scrambling if the rules change. Looking back atthe surge in ridership right after fares went free<\/a>, the earlier eligible people register, the less crowded the counters are and the easier it is to get through.<\/p>\n

What to Bring and How Long It Takes to Receive the Card<\/h2>\n